not always fluent, made most, narrowly headed 4 out, ridden and every chance when mistake last, weakened flat
prominent, ridden and lost place after 7th
took keen hold, chased leader 4th, led briefly after 7th, weakened quickly and blundered 4 out
chased leaders, slight lead 4 out, headed and mistake last, weakened flat
prominent until weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 4 out
held up, hit 5th, headway 4 out, challenged and every chance last, one pace flat
took keen hold in touch, ridden and weakened 4 out
behind, headway and in touch when mistake 4 out, soon weakened
in touch until weakened approaching 4 out
held up, steady headway from 3 out, challenged and led last, driven clear flat
in touch, ridden 7th, every chance when blundered 3 out, mistake next, weakened before last
held up mid-division, effort when mistake 4 out, kept on same pace
Four-time Flat winner Bid For Fame - including once at this track - ran well on his hurdling debut for Nicky Henderson, and has to be on the shortlist of possible winners of this contest. The better ground than he met at Ludlow will also help his cause. Intymcginty shaped like a stayer last time and may just be done for toe on this faster going. Joly Bois is clearly not one of Martin Pipe's leading lights. King Claudius's form is steadily improving and his third to Spud One at Huntingdon last time was a best yet. Ranelagh Gray was four-and-a-lengths behind him that day and meets King Claudius on five-pound better terms, if you allow for his rider's five-pound claim. This half-brother to, among others, Killusty, has had his problems but should appreciate the step up in trip and could go well. Philip Hobbs' Manor Down has shown little in two bumper events. Hobbs also runs the bumper winner Mounsey Castle, who was a decent second on his hurdling debut. He too should appreciate the stronger test of stamina he will find at Newbury. Nowator was useful in his native Poland but will need to improve on his two British hurdling runs to feature here, although his stable is in good form. Red Socialite is better than he has so far shown but could not be selected with confidence on the form he has shown so far. Brendan Powell's unraced King's Theatre gelding, Sadler's Cove, is hard to assess, while Watch The Dove has shown respectable form and she could improve for a step up in trip. As a four-year-old, Navale gets all the weight allowances. She was beaten two-and-a-half lengths by the subsequent JCB Triumph Hurdle winner, Spectroscope, at Kempton in February. Given that she is likely to appreciate the step up trip, she looks to have a favourite's chance in this contest. There is little doubt that Navale looks to hold a good chance of winning but, in the search for a little more value, Bid For Fame is taken to step up on his promising debut run at Ludlow, and is the selection.
